Girl's Got Game

Part 20

I don't know how to say this. Honestly, I don't know how to say anything anymore. This has cut me deep, and my own feelings toward it all has surprised me beyond words.

I'll just say it: Dave's been deployed.

It's not like we didn't see it coming. I mean, you CAN get called out of the reserve at a moment's notice. But I never thought the day would come that I'd actually miss my brother.

He's done so much for me. I used to hate him, but he never gave up on trying to be my friend. And I was nothing but horrible towards him. Now, he's leaving for God knows how long. I don't want the story to repeat itself: him going away for years at a time and me resenting him for never being in my life.

Now that he's in my life, I don't want him to leave.

How do I tell him that I'll miss him? I'm not the type of person who shows the softer side of their feelings. Growing up with all brothers taught me to keep my emotions in, to never cry, and to never let your facade slip. Be tough, be strong, don't be sensitive, be brave. I basically grew up in freaking Sparta.

He leaves in a week. Short notice, huh? I have a week left to show him I actually care.

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He spent the first few days with Jo. They've been dating since he came home, which was nine months ago last week. She's family now. Dave brings her to all my games, and she was there to witness every touchdown I scored, every mistake I made, and every game we won. I hope that he'll have the guts to marry her someday, as commitment is a fear of his.

Wednesday was Ricky's graduation. The whole family came, cousins and all. It was stupid because we had to dress up, which meant I had to go shopping for a "decent" dress since little black dresses just "wouldn't do." I wore one anyway. I'm not the pink and flouncy type. Black is simple, black is elegant, and black makes me look like I can kick your butt. Which I can.

I helped Ricky decorate his cap the night before. He lacks in the artistic department, so of course I charged him. I am now $20 richer, and his cap looks amazing. I basically wrote his name in graffiti across the top, and it is probably my best graffiti work yet.

So while Ricky and the gang are parading across the stage and receiving their diplomas, Quinn and I fill the punch bowl in the back with live goldfish. Hey, I can't be perfect ALL the time.

We leave soon after, but not before I get to witness the vice principal spit out a whole goldfish back into the bowl and knock over Sabrina into the cake. It sounds cliche, but I swear it happened.

I have a game that night, and we dominated. Jason threw four TDs and ran in one, and the defense had the game of their lives. I caught two of the four TDs, and in the end, Coach put me in as QB.

May I remind you that Toby normally is a QB.

As I'm going in, I search for David in the crowd. I make eye contact with him and give him a thumbs up. He returns the gesture.

I set the offense up for a Hail Mary. We're up by 20, so what the heck. I'm going for it. The defense obviously doesn't get it, since they play close up on us. Well, not many QBs do this in their first play, but I know I can make it.

The ball is hiked to me, and I find myself in the pocket. Two wide receivers go deep, and only one of them is covered.

I throw the ball.

It's a perfect Toby-style spiral. The receiver catches it perfectly in his arms and cradles it until he hits the end zone. The crowd goes wild.

We run it in for another TD next time, and the clock finally runs out. 49-14. We are the champions, my friend.

All the sudden I'm being picked up and twirled. Another body slams into my other side, and someone grabs my feet. I'm sandwiched between all my brothers, just like old times. It feels good to be together again for one last time.

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I wake up the next morning with a headache. David leaves today. I don't know what I'm going to do.

We all eat breakfast and get ready to leave. Ricky, who's been living in Dave's apartment for this whole time, officially has moved there and will be taking over the place as of today. They'll meet us at the airport.

I drive with Quinn and Jason in Jason's car. Nobody says a thing the whole ride. I guess we're all torn.

We arrive there forty minutes before Dave's plane takes off. Jo is ready here, eyes all puffy from crying. Mom, Dad, and CJ get there soon after that, and then Dave's here.

We're lining up to say goodbye. Oh, I can't do this. Jo's sniffling and Mom's sobbing and CJ's standing there half asleep and I just want to go home and die but wait: am I crying? No, this can't be. I'm leaking. There is water coming from my eyes. I push it away only to feel a hand on my shoulder. Ricky. He pulls me in for a side hug and I let him because I don't know what else to do.

Dave's embracing Mom and Dad. Dad looks as emotionless as ever. I guess that's how certain people deal with things. Mom's a train wreck, only holding it together for Dave's sake. Quinn and Jayson attack him with a bear hug next, CJ being all squashed in the middle.

Ricky goes to say goodbye and I'm standing all alone. I swallow hard, trying not to cry, trying not to cry, and then Dave looks up at me and I break down.

Two arms are around me faster than a bullet. I can't control it now. I haven't cried in years, and this probably three years worth of tears. Dave doesn't let go. He strokes the back of my head as I cry into his army fatigues.

After maybe three minutes, I finally control myself. I can hear Mom sobbing into Dad in the background and CJ sniffling into his shirt sleeve. I look up, and Dave's got tears in his eyes, too. I never thought I'd see the big guy cry.

He looks at me one last time. "I think you're a great little player, October. I'm sorry I was too dumb to see it before." He kisses the top of my head. "I love you, little sis."

I hug him one last time. And I said it. The three word phrase that can mean so much to one person and can change lives forever.

"I love you too, bro."

I hug him one last time, and he's off to say goodbye to Jo. They kiss and she cries and they confess their love and yadayadayada. And then he's gone.

The crowd we made starts to peter out. My parents leave with CJ, Jayson and Quinn forget to take me with them, and Jo finally stops staring out the window and leaves after hugging me. Then it's just me and Ricky.

We stop for Burger King on the way home. It's quiet again, like we just attended a funeral. Too quiet.

"So, what do we do now?" I ask.

"We take it a day at a time."

I look out the car window. "I can't believe it's back to the way it was nine months ago. Like all of this never happened." I say bitterly.

Ricky turns around. "October, look at me." I do so. He looks me straight in the eye. "No matter how bad things get, no matter how suckish this all feels, things will NOT go back to the way they were. We've all changed. You've changed, I've changed. Mom's learned to let go, Quinn's learned to be less of a jerk, I've learned that I need to be there for my family more and to not shut them out, and you've learned to let people inside of your walls. And if I have a say in anything, everything we've learned will stick. I promise."

I hug him right then and there.

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HELLO!!!

Finally an update. WOOHOO!!!

I'm sad to say that this story is coming to an end soon. SOON but not TOO soon. Maybe a few more chapters and an epilogue.

But I will be starting a new story so yay to that. Yes, it will have to do with sports, but not hugely like this one.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and make sure to comment what you think and to vote!!!

Love you all,

Raeeeeee